Saint Michaels Institution: Recent Posts

Saint Michaels Institution: Recent Posts http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Saint Michaels Institution: Recent Posts en Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:37:12 +0000 Robert de Silva on "Lost and Found" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/lost-and-found#post-122 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:50:24 +0000 Robert de Silva 122@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ December 22nd. , 2008 Our website is more of a LOST and FOUND Site. It is very interesting as we go along we find some of our lost friends and along the way we " pick" up some new old, old and young friends. we have Michaelians who are our seniors and some juniors. We are Michaelians and somehow we bond , or dare I say we always bond. I sincerely hope that we as Michaelians shall always be there for each other at least in a spirit of brotherhood. We need kind thoughts or words once a while . Some prayers too. and when we err, let us remember we are after all humans. I have a request to make, please do send some pictures ,write some articles. So many interesting things happened in School, we were young then and let us look back at some of the silly antics of ours and then let us all laugh. for more up to date news on SMI , we have to visit Mr. Peter Khiew's blog. you can write me for his blog address. I have a rule pertaining to posting email addresses, blog addresses and websites etc. on this site. I do not post them here as it would attract spam . Thank you and may we all jointly contribute to making this web site , our website, a success. There is no need for financial contribution. God Bless you and wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year. regards, Robert Robert de Silva on "Merry Christmas 2008" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/merry-christmas-2008#post-121 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:49:05 +0000 Robert de Silva 121@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Dear Michaelians and friends, Wishing each and everyone of you and Very Blessed and Merry Christmas. May we all find the true meaning of this beautiful day. Love from the Michaelians of 5 A3 1967 Robert de Silva on "Lost and Found" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/lost-and-found#post-120 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:43:22 +0000 Robert de Silva 120@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ December 18th. 2008 Kenneth Toong is here. Kenneth Toong of 1966 is interested to catch up with his friends. for his email address please contact me. Robert Robert de Silva on "Where are you" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/where-are-you#post-119 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:54:52 +0000 Robert de Silva 119@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Ken, I am in Virginia. work in Washington DC. welcome aboard! toongken on "Where are you" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/where-are-you#post-118 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:58:27 +0000 toongken 118@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Hi Robert, Where are you living in the States? I am in Calgary and travel to the States every month. I was Year 1965 Master Kee Fah was my teacher. Ken Toong Robert de Silva on "Rekindling memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/rekindling-memories#post-117 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:37:53 +0000 Robert de Silva 117@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Message from Chong Soon Tuck received November 29,2008 Message: It has been a long time, all our Michaelians in our batch seem to be in differant part of the world and we all are getting older each day. I have been in England since 1971 and I have two sons aged 24yrs. and 26yrs. . It would be nice to get intouch and talk about our old days. PS. for Soon Tuck's contact ,please send me a message Robert de Silva on "Smile and live longer" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/smile-and-live-longer#post-116 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:00:17 +0000 Robert de Silva 116@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ November 09, 2008 Tongue Twisters. ( courtesy of Joygreetings.com ) Twister Shorties: (say 'em a few times) Greek grapes. Red lorry, yellow lorry. Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches? Unique New York. Many an anemone sees an enemy anemone. Freshly-fried flying fish. The epitome of femininity. A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk. She stood on the balcony, inexplicably mimicing him hiccupping, and amicably welcoming him home. Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie. Common Twisters: She sells seashells by the seashore. The shells she sells are surely seashells. So if she sells shells on the seashore, I'm sure she sells seashore shells. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers? If Peter Piper Picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck If a woodchuck could chuck wood? He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, And chuck as much as a woodchuck would If a woodchuck could chuck wood. Tongue Twister Poems: Mr. See owned a saw. And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw. Now, See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw Before Soar saw See, Which made Soar sore. Had Soar seen See's saw Before See sawed Soar's seesaw, See's saw would not have sawed Soar's seesaw. So See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw. But it was sad to see Soar so sore just because See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw. Betty Botter had some butter, "But," she said, "this butter's bitter. If I bake this bitter butter, It would make my batter bitter. But a bit of better butter, That would make my batter better." So she bought a bit of butter - Better than her bitter butter - And she baked it in her batter; And the batter was not bitter. So 'twas better Betty Botter Bought a bit of better butter. Ned Nott was shot and Sam Shott was not. So it is better to be Shott than Nott. Some say Nott was not shot. But Shott says he shot Nott. Either the shot Shott shot at Nott was not shot, Or Nott was shot. If the shot Shott shot shot Nott, Nott was shot. But if the shot Shott shot shot Shott, Then Shott was shot, not Nott. However, the shot Shott shot shot not Shott, but Nott. A tree-toad loved a she-toad Who lived up in a tree. He was a two-toed tree-toad, But a three-toed toad was she. The two-toed tree-toad tried to win The three-toed she-toad's heart, For the two-toed tree-toad loved the ground That the three-toed tree-toad trod. But the two-toed tree-toad tried in vain; He couldn't please her whim. From her tree-toad bower, With her three-toad power, The she-toad vetoed him. Anonymous Robert de Silva on "Lost and Found" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/lost-and-found#post-115 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:35:01 +0000 Robert de Silva 115@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ November 07, 2008 Andrew Chen Chee Kong is here. Message: 1 Hi Robert, Great initiative with loads of work put in. I am not with the class photo you put up but certainly we we were classmates a year earlier. Sure remember the cheeky ones like Jeffery, Moo Chee & the likes. And of course Mr. Andrew Chin. Lost touch with a bunch of you guys. Good to see some old faces. Sad that some has left the building with Elvis. Will be back like Arnie use to say. And I wish all ye ole boys the best of health for the time being. Keep up your pood work Cheers, Chee Kong (or the one the used to call Bamboo) Message: 2 Sorry, I mean 'Good Work' And hope that more of the guys can be back for a dinner bash & end up with some heavy rapping of IPOH MALI at SMI padang ( the very spot where some unlucky ones got public canning) some time next year. So let's keep in touch. Live well Message: 3 BTW, Robert, do you have the email addresses of Lam Beng, Moo Chee, Jeffery or Frankie Chan? Actually I was back in Ipoh recently. It is quiet without the old boys : ( Good that you keep the rest of us in the loop.! Cheers Chen Chee Kong For Chee Kong's email address, please contact the webmaster or me. We prefer not to post any email addresses or links here to avoid Spam. Cheers! God Bless. Robert de Silva on "2008 OMA Reunion in Ipoh. September 27, 2008" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/2008-oma-reunion-in-ipoh-september-27-2008#post-114 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:16:12 +0000 Robert de Silva 114@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008aa.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008a.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008d.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008e.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008f.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008g.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008h.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008i.jpg" /> <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/OMAreunion2008j.jpg" /> Robert de Silva on "Rekindling memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/rekindling-memories#post-113 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:40:19 +0000 Robert de Silva 113@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Sept.29,2008 OMA dinner in Ipoh. 5A3 1967 was represented by Thomas Amer, Anthony Kim, Justin Gomez, Gilbert Gomez , Michael Ong , Philip Low , Rohini Kumar and Joseph Doss. and as always Adrian Tsen always posed with the group. I am trying to upload some pictures. Please check back. Robert de Silva on "Pictures and Video Clip" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/pictures-and-video-clip#post-112 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:30:40 +0000 Robert de Silva 112@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Nov. 01, 2008 So We are now one year old. the website that is. Where are we now? no where. no article contribution or pictures , no "hi"....na da. if you have something to write please do . we would appreciate it very much. have to make this site interesting or it will die a natural death. Robert de Silva on "Rekindling memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/rekindling-memories#post-109 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:44:35 +0000 Robert de Silva 109@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ August 16th., 2008 Here is Darrell, he is looking forward to contact anyone who knows him. Message: Hi there, my name is Darrell Kong Kai Chee. I went to St Michael in 1957 as a Standard one student. From Standard 2 to 6, I went to the new building built next door called Primary one. Because I flunked my Malay, I can only attend afternoon class at St Michael from Form one to Form three.(1963 to1965). Whoever read these must be confusing? But, judging from your class Form 5 in 1967, I might have knew some of you folks from the primary school from 1957 to 1962. Robert de Silva on "Fond Memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/fond-memories#post-108 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:43:05 +0000 Robert de Silva 108@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ July 29th. 2008 so , I celebrated my 58th. with so many phone calls and messages from my good old friends from SMI. ,work mates and the children friends nice feeling. Good to know that I have at least 40 friends from SMI . is it not great to have friends , especially people who know you for more than 40 years. wow, are we that old. no, like Michael Ong says , we are as old as we feel. Frankie says he feels young with all his young friends, his kids friends. Likewise , I am having some fun too. The Children have some graet friends and they are very good kids who are very respectful. at work I work with a buch of young people some as young as 19. and the average is around the Twenties. These young people are so respectful, yes we do speak "french" too sometimes but all in fun and they are great. here I am Mr. Robert or Uncle Robert or Uncle Bob. to them I address them " hey Buddy'. yeah they are my Buddies. What more can one ask for. FRIENDS... what would it be without them and family . and of course someone greater. GOD. ps. Please remember to say a prayer for me and my family and while you are doing that say a prayer for your family and all your friends too. Cheers. Robert de Silva on "Fond Memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/fond-memories#post-107 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:13:26 +0000 Robert de Silva 107@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ wow it is the almost the end of july 2008 ( today is the 27 th July 2008 ) yeah and my 58th birthday. Happy birthday to me and all of you who celebrate your birthday this month. Paul Seo that includes you. 25th July. I am still waiting for more Michaelians to write something on this site. Hope you all contribute some thing interesting. about anything. Robert de Silva on "Fond Memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/fond-memories#post-106 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:40:42 +0000 Robert de Silva 106@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Today. July 13th. 2008. wow time flies. How nice if someone else were to pen a few words and make this site more interesting. yeah come on, tell us your experiences in school about the friends you missed , the teachers who stood out etc. , etc., etc . Andrew de Silva on "Pictures and Video Clip" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/pictures-and-video-clip#post-105 Sun, 25 May 2008 17:51:34 +0000 Andrew de Silva 105@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Welcome Peter, Sorry I haven't responded to your email , work load is a little crazy lately at my office and my other projects are keeping me busy. Have fun and post any old pictures that you have on the forum. Andrew Robert de Silva on "Welcome, my brothers of 5A3 ." http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/welcome-my-brothers-of-5a3-#post-104 Sat, 24 May 2008 03:19:40 +0000 Robert de Silva 104@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ May 23 , 2008 Peter, thank you for registering at the site. and a big WELCOME to you. this site has been so " quiet" for some time and Lack of participation from most of of us makes the web site a little boring. I am working in the US at an American restaurant and was surprised to learn that our chef, Michael Foo, is from St. Michael too. He was in your class and I am going to tell him about you and Say Han tomorrow. Please do continue to visit this site and pen some of your memories and send pictures too. If you have a problem send them to my personal e mail and I shall gladly post them for you. thank you once again and Welcome Aboard. peterwong on "Welcome, my brothers of 5A3 ." http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/welcome-my-brothers-of-5a3-#post-103 Sat, 17 May 2008 08:16:02 +0000 peterwong 103@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ I'm also trying to contact some of my classmates from 5S1, 1985 and from primary school time. Foo Say Han now operates a Pharmacy Shop (Han's Pharmacy) in Ipoh together with wife opposite the Ipoh Stadium. As for me I'm one of the pastor of a church called Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church Klang. So do keep n touchlah....... peterwong on "Pictures and Video Clip" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/pictures-and-video-clip#post-102 Sat, 17 May 2008 08:10:47 +0000 peterwong 102@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Hi everyone I'm Wong Wai Keong formerly from 5S1 & I don't think SAy Jin is in Say Han class. My class if I can recalled were Bernard Foo, Foo Say Han, Richard, & etc..... Robert de Silva on "New Topic" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/new-topic#post-101 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:28:16 +0000 Robert de Silva 101@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ April 07, 2008 I have met many fellow Malaysians here in the US and we almost always agreed that we should have some kind of place where we can "meet". Since our website is not being utilised much I thought why not put this to more use. It was fun meeting fellow Malaysians . as always we are so fired up talking about home and the things that we missed. Malaysians are always friendly. I am extending this to Singaporeans too who are living here in the US . If you happen to stumble upon this website please do register yourself and tell us about yourselves. Please do feel welcome. We are trying to keep this website free of politics. thank you. I am Robert de Silva You can contact me at silver_bert ( at symbol) yahoo.com Robert de Silva on "February 10, 2008 Announcement" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/february-10-2008-announcement#post-100 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:08:47 +0000 Robert de Silva 100@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ I am trying to use this Forum to locate Malaysians living overseas , specially those residing in the US. Please contact us , you do not have to be a Michaelian. Contact me at silver_bert(at) yahoo.com. I have met so many Malaysians here in Washington DC and many were wondering how many more of us are here. Robert de Silva on "Something to make us live longer- smile, laugh aloud" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/something-light-so-smile#post-99 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:55:52 +0000 Robert de Silva 99@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Please do visit this website. Especially if you are based overseas. see our Malaysian talent. and while there enjoy yourself . <a href="http://www.comedycourt.com.my" rel="nofollow">www.comedycourt.com.my</a> Robert de Silva on "Now and Then" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/now-and-then#post-98 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:09:23 +0000 Robert de Silva 98@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ if only Antony Kim, Thomas Amir , Michael Ong , Bro. Vincent, Mr. Peter Khiew, and the rest of you would once in a while pen a few words, historical or futuristic , it would make this site so much vibrant. Instead of " listening" to this old bore. aaahh! Robert de Silva on "Now and Then" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/now-and-then#post-97 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:05:45 +0000 Robert de Silva 97@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ March 30 , 2008 Then ( 6 months ago) I had so much pain in my legs. I could hardly walk two blocks without having to stop for a while. then I went for an intensive acupunture session in North Carolina, about 7 hours drive . after that i could walk so much better. this was during the Thanksgiving Holidays, in November. On January 7 , 2008 , i went ahead and had a total knee replacement on my right foot . it was hurting for some years and an x ray showed there was no mor carthilage left . NOW. a week to go and it would be 3 months ago since I had the surgery. I am walking and started working. it hurts a little as it is not completely healed but I am walking. for this , I have to thank a wonderful doctor, my family and dear God. I am Bionic now. the USD $25 thousand dollar man. Robert de Silva on "Malaysian Food in Washington DC" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/malaysian-food-in-washington-dc#post-96 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:53:21 +0000 Robert de Silva 96@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ March 30 , 2008. Whenever I think of Satay , I think of Haji Samsuri's Satay in Kajang . I sure miss the satay from that place. I love eating my Satay by stripping all the meat off the skewer and placing them in a bowl filled with peanut sauce, onions and ketupat . Then I gulp them down with a spoon. Yum, Yummy yum yum. good for the Tummy Tum. Robert de Silva on "Malaysian Food in Washington DC" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/malaysian-food-in-washington-dc#post-95 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:49:11 +0000 Robert de Silva 95@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ so I went on Saturday , March 29 , 2008 to Malaysia Kopitiam ( Washington DC ) and had Rembah Udang and a bowl of Asam Laksa and I realised that we have so much of the same food here so why miss home ? Must be missing my friends , my Michaelians. so if only they too contribute some musings ,articles or pictures I would be so much closer to them even though we are so far apart. Wishingful thinking I guess. Robert de Silva on "Now and Then" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/now-and-then#post-94 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:22:47 +0000 Robert de Silva 94@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ We have on board Andrew Loh of Class of Form 5 A4 1967. Andrew is the son of Mr. David Loh ,one of our Teachers. Andrew was in some of our classes in the other years .I believe from Form 1 A1 to Form 3 A3. Please correct me if I am wrong. He is working in Singapore. I have his contact. Any of you visiting this web site who would like to contact your school mates please do contact me. Robert de Silva on "Now and Then" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/now-and-then#post-93 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:40:38 +0000 Robert de Silva 93@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ The Group then and Now <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/TalentimeMembersNow.jpg" /> Robert de Silva on "Now and Then" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/now-and-then#post-92 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:38:03 +0000 Robert de Silva 92@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ We have finally found our close friend Andrew Sammy, who has been missing since I last spoke to him somewhere in the early 1900's when he was in Petaling Jaya. He is currently in Melbourne ?Australia. So now that we have found the last member of the Band maybe one of these days they are going to perform toether for all of us. <img src="http://smi.robertdesilva.com/images/AndrewSammy2007.jpg" /> Robert de Silva on "February 10, 2008 Announcement" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/february-10-2008-announcement#post-91 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:57:16 +0000 Robert de Silva 91@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ February 10, 2008 We have found another old Buddy of ours he is one of the icons of Form 3 A3 1965, Form 4 A3 1966 and Form 5 A3 1967. He is ...............Andrew Sammy. He is a singer , a band boy ...NO he is not Sammy Davis Junior's brother but Eric Sammy's brother. For his contact , please write us. Andrew Sammy WELCOME Aboard and welcome "HOME" Robert de Silva on "February 10, 2008 Announcement" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/february-10-2008-announcement#post-90 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 06:12:05 +0000 Robert de Silva 90@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Thomas Amir is planning to organise a Dinner Gathering for all the guys in the mailing list. anyone interested please contact Thomas at his email address and you may send your messages tru here. This gathering is to celebrate Life, Friendship and The Chinese New Year. Sarath Jayatilaka's Mum, who is also my late Dad's eldest sister had passed on in early February 2008. Teddy,Thomas, Anthony Kim and Philip Low were there to represent us at the funeral. All those of us who know or even dont know this family ,please remember her in your prayers. She is Florence Adeline Jayatilaka nee de Silva. Thank you God Bless you guys. Remember we all here for each other. Robert de Silva on "Fond Memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/fond-memories#post-89 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:25:37 +0000 Robert de Silva 89@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Mr. John Lee Class Teacher Form 3 A3 1965 Physical Excercise Teacher In Form 2, 3 , 4 and 5. Bahasa Kebangsaan Teacher ( National Language ) Form 3 , 4 ( 1966 ) This is a man to be reckon with. Strictly a no nonsense teacher . His mere presence was enough to frighten you into being attentive and well behaved. His mode of punishment was something to talk about . We were so afraid of being in his wrong side but surprisingly we never , ever hated this man. We in fact had so much good things to talk about him and all the fright that he had instilled in us was nothing. He would walk into our class and if he so much as see us sleepy eyed ,he would make us all go to the field and run a few rounds before coming back to class. The was once when 2 of us were caught fighting in class and one I believed was sleeping. He made the three boys go up to the Brothers' living quarters and carry a long Rattan Sette. ( a sofa of sorts). down to the Canteen during Recess. the boy who was sleeping was made to sleep on the Rattan sofa and the two who were fighting were made to carry two big fans . the two " fighters" were then made to fan the sleeper right in the canteen. there were about two thousand students in our school. ( I hope the figure is right) Students and Teachers were wonderingwhat came over thses boys and why they were acting in that manner. When they come to know the reason, people started laughing . There was another incident where two boys were caughting fighting in class. Mr.John Lee made them stand on the benches at the school corridor . They had to stand facing each other and in a fighting stance. Brother Casimer happen to walk by and saw these two still standing in that position and he was so furious as the boys just continued standing there and did not burge even when Bro. Casimer ordered them to get down and go back into the class. He did not know why they were therein that instance. Bro. Casimer walked into the class and his Irish face was all red and hands in his pockets and asked us why the boys refused to burge. When we told him that Mr. John Lee vetted out the punishment as they were fighting, Bro Casimer burst out laughing and walked away. See Brother Casimer ,when he is angry always has a red face and his hands are always in the pockets of his robe. We believe he has a rosary there and he was reciting the Hail Mary everytime he does that. Mr. John Lee's punishment was always unigue but never were they painful. enough to embarass you and you will think twice, no ten times before you do something and get caught again. When we were in Form Four ( 1966) he was our Bahasa Kebangsaan Teacher. At that time all non Malay students had to take Bahasa Kebangsaan . This was a Compulsory subject and if you fail this paper you fail the whole examination. The Malay students had to take both the papers , Bahasa Kebangsaan and Bahasa Melayu. Bahasa Melayu was supposed to be a tougher Paper. Mr. John Lee made us the non Malay students to take this paper .There was no choice. This was a Form Three paper but he made us take it in Form Four. Just only this Subject. That was then The LCE .Lower Certificate of Education Examination. He was our Bahasa Teacher ( language teacher). He bought about 40 over short story books and gave each of us one at the first time. We were told to read the books , if there were any words that we do not understand we were o look up the word in the English / Malay dictionary. Then we were to wirte the english translation of the word by pencil on the book. The nexttime when the book was passed around, ie the second person whio reads the book would have some of the difficult words translate. no wthe second person to read the book will then translate the words that he did not understnd. After several passes of the book , it would have almsot be translated in it entirety. This was such a brillant idea that as the days passed reading the books were so easy as most of the difficul words were translated. Now , he walks by you while you are reading and picks a word and ask you the meaning of the word. Dont understand, no problem, why did you not ask . no problem ,write the word a thousand times. now a problem. When he reads from a book , story or text , we are expected to raise our hands when we come across any words that we did not understand. If you did not raise your hands and ask it means you understand. Good, but if he asked you and you did not know the word and did not raise your hands to ask, it is a thousand lines agian. He made us purchase a small note book , those days it was the 3 fives brand which were popular. we were supposed to listen to theMalay News, read Malay newspapers, books etc. Everyday we were to have 10 new words and the English translation. ten new words and no repeatitions, every day. We were to study the words at every assembly. there we were the class in an assemby with another 2ooo students holding and reading or at least pretending to read. The other students used to mock us. we were embarassed at times. The exams came and there were like 40 of us in the class and we all took the examination paper. When the results came back and posted at the notice board, there were only two who failed and the rest of us did very well. I was tol tht Mr John Lee and Bro. Paul was there at the notice board and Bro. pual was congratulaing Mr. John Lee and my friends told me he had tears of joy in his eyes. This was an achievement for us the non Malay students and Mr..John Lee showed that it was not impossible . see we did very well because we were " forced and Threatened" to do so. I went on after Form Five to work briefly in Sabah before returning to continue my studies. When I was in Sabah there was a vacancy for an English and Malay teacher. I applied and got the job. My qualifications...my Bahasa Melayu Paper. NOTHING else. ha ha ha. Malu heh? I taught for about 3 months and decided teaching was not for me. I was too playful to be a teacher and I honestly find it boring and my students were almost my age . this was something that we were so proud of , a very good and dedicated Teacher. Mr John Lee, I hope you you would read this. We love you. As far as I am concerned, you are one of the very few teachers that I trully respect. We were frighten of you but you were also a very concerned and dedicated teacher. There are so much more encounters I can write about and I hope my friends will share their experiences with us here. God Bless you and all the dedicated Teachers Robert de Silva on "Fond Memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/fond-memories#post-88 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:52:18 +0000 Robert de Silva 88@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Will Mr George of Ipoh ,Please introduce yourself. we are curious to know you. Class .Year etc. Thanks Buddy Robert de Silva on "Fond Memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/fond-memories#post-87 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:17:03 +0000 Robert de Silva 87@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ Mr.John Lee Mr. John Lee was our Form Teacher in Form Three A 3 1965. This is one person whose mere presence can make one wet or even soil his pants. Mr. John Lee was Form Teacher , Physical Execise teacher and Bahasa Malaysia teacher. He was the very tough on us , tough in the sense he made us behave and learn our lessons and he was always there to make sure we did just that. He had his ways to make one do his work For many reasons ,we ,the class loves and respects him very much. He was a very dedicated teacher, very strict but never abusive. there are so many stories about him , our adventures are many....... I shall return and write more Robert de Silva on "Fond Memories" http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/topic/fond-memories#post-86 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:30:00 +0000 Robert de Silva 86@http://smi.robertdesilva.com/forum/ One day Bro.Paul was "patrolling" the corridors of the school. 5A3 was up to their usual mischief and Rohini saw Bro. Paul coming from the other end of the block and Rohini started signallling to the class that Brother. was on his way. the class was so busy playing and some were trying to figure out what Rohini was trying to say. He had one of his hands over his head and he was "circling " his hand around his head repeatedly. He was so busy trying to get our attention that he did not notice Bro.Paul standing just behind him. Staring at him . He moved on only after Rohini noticed him. We were so surprised that Bro. Paul did not do anything .He just walked on. I believed that he had to move on as he could not control his urge to laugh. Rohini must have been closed to having a heart attack then. this one of the things we can look back too. then there is him giving us a choice of canes to pick for our punishment. there must be so much stories about this great person that we would like to share with the younger generation of Michaelians.